Monday, April 17, 2017

"T" is for Todd and Trouble!

Well, what I'd hoped would be a quiet Easter weekend at home alone, didn't end up that way.
~An Easter gift from a talented friend~
I'll preface this by saying that those of you with Scotties, know that they are a bold and a dignified dog. And they can also be territorial - Todd is no exception to this.  He defends his territory against everything and anything.  When people come to see us, and he's outside he is barking and jumping up at the fence.  He does settle down a few minutes after their arrival.  But I always warn people to keep their hands away from him.

So, when a friend stopped by on Saturday with her adult daughter and the dogs were outside, she asked if she could pet them.  I told her "NO!" that Todd would probably bite her.  I even warned her a second time, and she did listen to my warning.  But there was a quilt laying over the fence, and as Todd was jumping up, he was grabbing it, and so my friends daughter reached over and pulled it back - And can you guess what happened next?  
Yes... At the moment she pulled the quilt back, Todd jumped up and he bit her, caught her "pinkie", whatever you say happened, it doesn't matter, the end result is the same, her finger was bloodied.  My heart sank when I saw it.  Inside we cleaned it off, and agreed that it needed medical attention.

I knew what this meant.  Anytime you need medical attention for a dog-bite, nip or whatever, a report is always filed in the county with Animal Control. I mentioned this to my friend and her daughter to let them know what to expect, and they told me they'd try to keep our names off of any report.  I appreciated they're saying that they would do that, but I knew that it may not be possible.  **And I'll just add here, that I would and do take full responsibility for anything our dogs do, no matter what or even who it may be.  And of course I offered to pay all medical expenses for my friend's daughter, but they graciously refused.  They have been very understanding, nice, etc.,  about it, and admit that a mistake was made in moving the quilt.

After my friend and her daughter left, the reality and what the consequences may be started to swirl in my mind as the "what if's" started to consume me.  A phone call a couple of hours later from my friend telling me that no stitches were needed, and her daughter was just fine was a relief to hear as well as her telling me that they'd not provided our information.

But another phone call from the Sheriff's Office in our county would come later. They had no choice but to file a bite-report against Todd.  My phone call from a deputy would come soon after and he told me that the entire incident did not meet the criteria of what a "dangerous dog" is defined as.  Todd is licensed in the county, up to date with vaccines, and the Deputy confirmed all of his information.  The case is (thankfully) considered closed.  But I've taken this very seriously and as a wake-up-call to not be so complacent when strangers are around because Todd does now have a "criminal record." And I know full well that IF there is a next time, we may not get off so easily now that we know that Todd's bite can be just as bad as his bark!

26 comments:

  1. Oh my what a worry , My cousin in England has always had Scotties for many years and none have been aggressive like that with anyone they are very placid dogs really , I guess Todd is one of the few who isn't . I do hope Todd settles down from biting people and nothing every comes of it for you both , Glad all turned out ok though , Thanks for sharing , Lovely photos . Mr Todd you be good for Mama ya hear . Have a good week !

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hello, so sorry this happened. Todd must be very protective of his territory and your visitors were warned to stay away from Todd. I am glad it was not worse and the girl was ok. Now poor Todd has a criminal record. Happy Monday, enjoy your new week ahead!

    ReplyDelete
  3. One of our dogs may or may not bite at someone if they stick their hand over the fence. I always warn people, mostly workers who have been here, not to pet the dogs. I'm sorry that happened with Todd. And I'm so glad it wasn't worse.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oh no, poor Todd, he just thought he was defending his home. I'm glad your friends were so understanding.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Oh, what a difficult situation that was. I think that could happen to any dog owner when an animal is being protective of their territory. I am glad to read that everything turned out OK.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Oh, bleep! I think maybe you were waiting for that first time and hoping it wouldn't happen. I wish it hadn't happened. Todd might have sensed your apprehension, who knows?

    ReplyDelete
  7. I am so very sorry you now have this worry. Poor little guy was just trying to keep his world safe.
    Bentley

    ReplyDelete
  8. Todd my outlaw friend, you can't be as cute as you are and bite. Do what I do, bark and growl from a distance that way people aren't tempted to want to pat you.

    Aroo to you,
    Sully

    ReplyDelete
  9. This is a post that all dog owners need to read and we need to appreciate your willingness to write about it. You just never know what can happen and it's good that you warned them not to put their hands next to Todd. Glad things turned out for the best. You are always the responsible person when it comes to anything "dog."

    ReplyDelete
  10. Well, you had warned them, so could do no more, Kim. Todd was, after all, just protecting his family and territory. Maybe he thought the lady was going to steal the quilt ! Poor chap, he doesn't look too happy in that last photo.
    I hope the beautiful Easter gift from your friend has helped soothe you, and that you have enjoyed the holiday.

    ReplyDelete
  11. How upsetting. You gave the woman repeated warnings so its not Todds fault nor yours. In the circumstances I'm surprised you had the hassles you did as you excercised what lawyers would call a compelling 'duty of care'. Have a drink and be thankful you have a Scottie who takes his guardianship seriously. After our event in Italy I'm only too happy to have one of our sheepdogs that demonstrates a protective aura. Sophie and Todd seem to have the same personality traits.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Dui has bitten a few times. Luckily, the bit-ees have been understanding. Had a close call yesterday, when two small boys raced up and asked if they could pet the dogs. I told them the white dog was okay, and their mother was there to back me up. Could have been worse as Dui reacts when someone suddenly appears. But we're with Angus...nothing like watchdogs when you need them.

    ReplyDelete
  13. How upsetting for all involved. Glad the injury was no worse than it was and you did do the right thing about warning them. Barkley being a lab, never had the slightest inkling to bite util one day a young man who was trespassing leaned in towards him in his fenced area and just about got bit. I went out, just having got home from work (he saw the badge and just stood there). I looked at his eyes. He was high. I informed him he was trespassing and next time I couldn't guarantee the outcome. I've never seen Barkley aggressive but I think he sensed danger or this kid was one of the group that broke into our cul-de-sac homes a few weeks prior that ran when there was both alarm and big dog barking.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I am so sorry this happened. People really do need to understand that not all dogs can be pet. I am glad the case is closed and the injury was minor.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I liked the "oh bleep" comment . . .
    It kind of "says it!"

    Your post is mportant to read . . .
    I'm thinking I'd say to him,
    "Todd, this changes things up a bit!"

    Yet, the change will have to be in you . . .
    to be on alert, warning, policing, signage . . .
    and that makes it not as much fun . . .

    Wish I could change it back to before . . .
    Todd is a love . . . we know it!






    ReplyDelete
  16. Sorry this happened. How stressful.

    ReplyDelete
  17. before zeke I rescued a little cocker puppy. she had been abused. and she was deathly afraid of children. the people were going to put down all the puppies in that litter. I think she had been literally tortured by the kids in the family. she was petrified of all children from then on... and just people in general.
    she stopped growing at 5 months old. so she always looked like a puppy! but I couldn't convince people not to reach out to her. the vet said she was a fear biter. not from anger or meanness but from instinctive reaction to what she perceived as danger.
    I had to be quite sharp sometimes. there are always those people who say "oh ALL dogs love me."
    I still think todd is wonderful of course! he has his own reasons always. and protecting YOU and his pack are number one on his list! XOXO♥

    ReplyDelete
  18. I understand your fright of repercussions from Todd’s “event.” A few years ago a new meter reader for the power company roared up our drive (going much too fast), jumped out of his truck, and ran toward my husband, who happened to be outside and standing near the meter. Our border collie Rory, who was the gentlest dog I’ve known, was there and charged toward the meter reader, feeling that my husband was being threatened. Rory turned around when my husband called him. The meter reader screamed profane threats at my husband and Rory. From inside the house I could hear him: I reported the matter to the power company, mostly out of concern that Rory would be identified as a “vicious dog.” The meter reader was apparently reassigned, perhaps to a desk job, as we never saw him again.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Oh Todd! It is hard not to want to protect your property
    I tried to bite the church bishop on his butt once when he was leaving!
    hugs
    Mr Bailey, Hazel & Mabel

    ReplyDelete
  20. Oh my goodness! Oh Todd! I didn't know you had it in you ;-) This reminds me of the time we were walking Gracie in our neighborhood and a nice elderly lady was walking the other direction. As she approached us she held her hand out for Gracie to smell it... and... just as I was saying "I wouldn't... she might bite you..." she did. Nothing serious, just a nip. But still. My point, Todd, is... don't feel badly about your criminal record. Gracie has come very close to having one too. eeeek.. Glad this all worked out okay.

    ReplyDelete
  21. I know what you're feeling. After my bite last year I had to have stitches. The hospital reported it and I received a letter from the health dept. Fortunately, there was no follow up and everyone is up to date on vaccines, so I guess we're Ok, but it is worrisome.

    ReplyDelete
  22. how can such a cutie be such a skunk?

    ReplyDelete
  23. Oh, gosh - hopefully a one-time event. I have a good friend in another state who had a JRT who had bitten many people, and I knew to be very cautious around him. However, once when I was an overnight visitor we were talking and preparing dinner and I absentmindedly reached down to pet their other very tall, friendly dog who was near him, and he jumped up and nearly bit the tip of my index finger off. It was so painful I couldn't sleep that night, and by the time I got off the plane at home the next day, I had red streaks running up my arm. I went straight to the emergency clinic to get antibiotics for an infection (and I later lost the nail). Even though they were in another state, I hated to report him, so I was vague, and they were in another state so nothing happened. Unfortunately he actually went on to bite others :( Once is one thing, but if a dog is a serial biter, I do believe it should be confined or muzzled when (invited) visitors are around. Guests shouldn't have to be on high-alert and worry about every movement they make during a long visit...

    ReplyDelete
  24. When a person invades another person's territory, the person has every right to confront the invader. But when the person invades a dog's territory in a stupid manner, it is the DOG who is considered the problem. Like so many other things it simply is not fair.

    ReplyDelete
  25. I'm glad everything turned out pretty okay. Thank goodness everyone understood the situation. Sometimes I think law enforcement definitely needs training when it comes to dogs.

    ReplyDelete

Speak--I really enjoy your comments! Thanks for stopping by today!!